In 2010, Americans donated an estimated $290.89 billion to charitable organizations, an amount approximately equal to 8.2% of the amount of U.S. federal government spending in 2009. The chart below shows the amounts received by various types of charitable organizations:
Giving USA reports that 2010 saw some $1.43 billion that was directed toward post-earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Approximately 75% of these charitable contributions went to Human Service organizations, while much of the remainder went to International Affairs-oriented charitable organizations.
According to data collected by The Guardian, the United States government under President Barack Obama committed some $41,268,315 million to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, while private organizations and individuals in the United States provided $1,117,401,659.
Or in other words, when it comes to the desperate plight of the poorest people in the Western hemisphere after an especially devastating natural disaster, individual Americans and private charities have proven to be over 27 times more generous than the U.S. government.
Previously on Political Calculations
- Tax Deductions for Charity by Income Level - here, we determined the amount of charitable contributions by income level for the 87% of individual and households who itemized their charitable donations on their tax returns!
- Charity in America: The Donors - we break down the major sources of charitable contributions in the U.S. for 2010!
Data Sources
Giving USA Foundation. U.S. Charitable Giving Shows Modest Uptick in 2010 Following Two Years of Declines. 20 June 2011.